Ancient Lamps - RomQ Reference Collection

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RIW3

Reference: RIW3 / Cat. No.

Period: Roman

Origin: Rhineland, possibly Cologne

Date: 70 – 150 AD

Description:
Achtförmige open lamp. Pierced mould-made handle. Base-ring.


Fabric: White clay with mottled dark and pale brown slip.

Manufacture: Mould made.

Size (cm): L. 11.4 (ih), W. 6.3, H. 3.1 (ih)

Condition: Large quartz inclusion to top of handle.

Notes:
Cf. Bussière & Lindros Wohl, 460; Menzel, 531-4; BMC III, Q1648-9; Goethert, 99; London, ETA89.919.1149, ETA89.345.665, DMT88.2424.232, ABC87.241.492; (applied handle) BMC III, Q1639; Loeschcke, 1003; Kirsch, 447-8; Hayes, 269.
Genre: see Goethert, pp.124-7; Croom, Running the Roman Home 2011, pp.82-3; Marshall, MOLA 2017, p.28; (function) Adkins et al., Britannia 1983, pp.274-8.

Loeschcke Type XIb.

Ex Robert Flourance Collection.


Comments:
In North West Europe, where imported fuels such as olive oil were a valuable commodity, versatile open lamps designed to use either oil or animal fat were a popular alternative to conventional closed types. The flame of a fat-fuelled lamp could be regulated by passing the wick through a float.

See comments under a metal example.



RIW3


RIW3


RIW3

Last edited: 14-02-2020

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